Unlocking Your Full Potential: Embracing Your Natural Strengths as an Extrovert
As a life coach who specializes in transforming lives, I often encounter individuals who have been fed the age-old adage, "You can be anything you want to be if you just work hard enough." While this may sound empowering, it can also be a dangerous mindset that leads to feelings of inadequacy, frustration, and overwhelm.
It wasn't until I attended my first leadership training course in Bangkok at the age of 38 that I finally heard the words that changed my life: "You don't have to be good at everything, use the natural strengths you have and you will be the best and most successful version of yourself." For 38 years, I had believed that I needed to excel in all areas of my life, or I would be considered a failure.
It begs the question, why isn't this message more widely spread? Why aren't we encouraged to identify our natural strengths and talents earlier in life, so we can focus on developing those areas rather than constantly struggling to improve our weaknesses?
This is especially relevant for extroverts who thrive on social interaction and are energized by external stimuli. While introverts may prefer quiet reflection and solitude, extroverts need to be around people and are at their best in social situations.
Therefore, as an extrovert, it's important to recognize that you don't have to force yourself into a box that doesn't suit you. For example, if you're not good at math, don't waste your time trying to become a great accountant or statistician. Instead, identify your strengths and natural talents, and find a career that plays to those strengths.
It's time to reframe the popular saying, "You can be anything you want to be if you just work hard enough." Instead, let's embrace a more realistic and empowering message: "You cannot be anything you want to be, but you can be the best version of YOU."
The key to living your best life is to increase self-awareness. Take an assessment to learn more about your personality, strengths, and weaknesses. This will help you recognize your preferences and discover your natural talents.
But don't stop there. To truly make lasting changes in your life, you need ongoing coaching to help you stay accountable and get the most out of your assessment. Think of your coach as your personal trainer for the mind, who will help you to become the best version of yourself.
Your coach will examine your current situation, assess your strengths, and help you fully engage with your natural talents. They will help you understand how your strengths show up for you and how you might need to refine them. We want to work with our strengths maturely to avoid over- or under-use, so they don't stand in our way.
Your coach will also help you clarify your goals, vision for success, and roadmap for professional and personal growth. They will help you gain mastery over your emotions so that you can take the right actions and create the results that you want.
Most importantly, your coach will help you overcome limiting beliefs that hold you back from success. They will ensure you feel confident about your capabilities and talents and develop the focus and resilience needed to withstand the stresses and turbulence that get in the way of achieving your goals.
I understand that every person's journey in life is personal and unique. That's why I offer personalized coaching that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. We will dig deep to explore your strengths, motivations, and beliefs; identify gaps, and how to close them, and create strategies for long-lasting transformation that will impact all aspects of your life.
